JAIPUR: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday accused the BJP of politicising the ‘Padmaavat’ row for electoral benefits in the Gujarat polls and said the work of an artist should be honoured while ensuring that it does not hurt sentiments of any section of the society.

The controversy over the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film could have been averted if the Centre tried settling issues with the parties concerned, the former chief minister told reporters in Behror town of Alwar district. He accused the BJP of politicising the issue for electoral benefits.

“The ban on the movie was evoked by the BJP ruled state governments one by one during Assembly elections in Gujarat. The issue was deliberately twisted due to which (the state) government had to move the Supreme Court,” he said.

I believe that the controversy could have been laid to rest within a week, if the Centre had taken steps, he said.

He accused BJP of dividing castes in elections. “Be it Gujarat elections or bypolls in Rajasthan, the BJP is preparing a chart of castes. They are misleading people, inciting them to garner votes,” he claimed.